Track unit for high-performance rapid-transit trains

ABSTRACT

Track unit apparatus for high performance rapid transit trains which includes a single tubular support frame supporting guide tracks for the high speed train vehicles as well as guide tracks for additional conveying vehicles. The track units include guide tracks for supporting overhead or suspension high speed train vehicles, which guide tracks are attached at cylindrical steel longitudinal tubular members. These longitudinal members also directly support surface type railroad tracks or roadways for conventional type surface trains. A plurality of such longitudinal tubular members are provided, with a pair of these members being spaced laterally from one another at the upper part of the frame and at least one other of these tubular members being spaced below and intermediate the upper members so as to form a triangle or other polygonal cross-sectional shape in conjunction with tubular lattice members connecting the respective longitudinal tubular members. The railroad or roadway supports are provided above the upper longitudinal tubular members. Intermediate the triangular shape bounded by the tubular members, further guide structure is provided for conveying vehicles so that the space taken up by the support frame is optimally utilized. In addition, the longitudinal tubular members, as well as additional pipelines, also include spaces for accommodating conveyance of materials such as gases, fluids, fluidized solids, and the like.

United States Patent Simon et a1.

[ Nov. 18, 1975 1 1 TRACK UNIT FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE RAPID-TRANSIT TRAINS [7 3 Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nurnberg AG, Germany Filed: Jan. 10, 1974 Appl. No.: 432,210

Assignee:

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Jan. 10, 1973 Germany 2301027 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 396,139 1/1889 Brown 104/121 799,908 9/1905 Humphrey H 104/121 845,459 2/1907 Gilstrap 104/91 879,750 2/1908 Dippel et al. 104/124 X 980.191 l/19ll Boynton 104/121 994,519 6/1911 Ifft l l l l 104/125 1.881363 10/1932 Fry i i i 104/124 1,998,205 4/1935 Roscher.... 104/124 2,040,886 5/1936 Strauss 104/124 2,445,469 7/1948 Bradley 104/124 3,760,737 9/1973 Becker et a1 104/89 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 749,558 1944 Germany 104/124 432,366 3/1948 Italy 105/145 Primary Examiner-Robert S. Ward, Jr. Assistant Examiner-Andres Kashnikow Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Craig & Antonelli [57] ABSTRACT Track unit apparatus for high performance rapid transit trains which includes a single tubular support frame supporting guide tracks for the high speed train vehicles as well as guide tracks for additional conveying vehicles. The track units include guide tracks for supporting overhead or suspension high speed train vehicles, which guide tracks are attached at cylindrical steel longitudinal tubular members. These longitudinal members also directly support surface type railroad tracks or roadways for conventional type surface trains. A plurality of such longitudinal tubular members are provided, with a pair of these members being spaced laterally from one another at the upper part of the frame and at least one other of these tubular members being spaced below and intermediate the upper members so as to form a triangle or other polygonal cross-sectional shape in conjunction with tubular lattice members connecting the respective longitudinal tubular members. The railroad or roadway supports are provided above the upper longitudinal tubular members. lnterrnediate the triangular shape bounded by the tubular members, further guide structure is provided for conveying vehicles so that the space taken up by the support frame is optimally utilized. In addition, the longitudinal tubular members, as well as additional pipelines, also include spaces for accommodating conveyance of materials such as gases, fluids, fluidized solids, and the like.

53 Claims. 2 Drawing Figures US. Patent Nov. 18, 1975 Sheetl of 2 3,919,947

FIG. I

US. Patent Nov. 18,1975 Sheet-2 0f2 3,919,947

FIG. 2

TRACK UNIT FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE RAPID-TRANSIT TRAINS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to track units for guiding and supporting high-performance rapid-transit trains of the type with overhead and/or suspension vehicles. The present invention, more particularly relates to track units consisting of a supporting frame with supporting and guiding devices, wherein the supporting frame, except for the supporting pillars, consists of a steel construction, as is described, for example, in our copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 387,149, Michael Simon et al., filed Aug. 9, 1973, the subject matter thereof being incorporated herein by reference thereto.

In such track units, it is possible to construct the main girders with relatively wide span widths, to directly follow any occurring curvatures in the track or differences in elevation in the design of the supporting beams, rather than having to approximate same by polygonal courses in the line guidance, to be able to resort, in the production of the track units, extensively to an economical manufacture thereof in the workshop, instead of having to erect these units at the building site, which is less advantageous from an expense viewpoint, and to manufacture the entire supporting frame structure with an extraordinarily great accuracy.

The present invention, in this connection, resides in utilizing the amount of structure required to accomplish the solution of the problem even more advantageously for the purpose of achieving maximum economy and a maximally versatile usability, than has been possible by using solely the solution according to the above-mentioned US. Application.

According to the invention, this objective is attained by mounting on the steel construction of the supporting frame, in addition to the carrying and guiding means for the high-performance rapid-transit trains, also furthermore supporting and/or guiding devices for other conveying units such as railroad rails, automobile roadways, and container conveying devices.

The solution of this invention makes it possible to make the line structure of the high-performance rapidtransit train also available for additional conveying tasks. This eliminates the need for a separate construction of each single one of the conveying projects covered thereby, resulting in an extraordinarily great savings in expenses. Thus, for example, the supporting and guiding devices for overhead trolleys can be mounted laterally at the supporting frame of the line construction, and additionally, railroad tracks or, for example, a trolley track can be attached to the top of the supporing frame, and, in the interior of the line construction furthermore container conveying units; also, longitudinally installed pipeline systems for the conveyance of, for example, liquids (such as water), gases (such as long-distance gas), or electric overland lines, can be provided at the line construction.

The invention has the particularly advantageous feature that the steel construction of the supporting frame consists of a tubular construction wherein a pipeline or several pipelines is or are laid in the longitudinal direction of the track as the supporting elements; these pipelines, in turn, are joined by a latticework consisting of tubes. In this connection, the pipelines meant for conveying purposes are simultaneously used as the sup porting components of the supporting frame structure, which means another saving in costs. The simultaneous utilization of tubes as the struts for the framework to be joined (in case of several supporting longitudinal pipes) advantageously satisfies the increased load requirements to be met by the individual components due to the incorporation, according to the invention, of additional conveying systems into the line construction, since tubular cross sections exhibit the advantage of being able to absorb high tensile and compressive forces, as well as simultaneously high bending and torsional moments, with a minimum amount of material. At the same time, the aerodynamic resistance between the supporting frame structure and the vehicle is significantly lower than in a solid-wall construction.

The tubes laid in the longitudinal direction of the track and fashioned as supporting components for the underframe are all, or only a part thereof, constructed as conduits in a further embodiment of this invention, to convey liquids, gases, fluidized solids, transport containers, and electric'long-distance lines. Additionally, still other pipeline systems can be utilized as conveying conduits, which are mounted to the supporting frame in the longitudinal direction of the track in the form of non-supporting components.

Due to these features, the line construction carries a plurality of conveying systems side-by-side, whereby an optimum utilization is achieved with minimum expenditure in structure which is of highest significance in view of the extraordinary growth in the need for conveying systems of all types to be expected in the future.

These and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, several embodiments in accordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a track unit constructed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a cross-sectional view; and

FIG. 2 shows a track unit constructed according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention in a cross-sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The track units are supported by way of concrete pillars l on foundations 2 with the interposition of adjusting units 1 The main supports are constituted by main support tubes 3, 4 and 5 (FIG. 1) or 3a, 3b, 4, and 5 (FIG. 2), laid in the travel direction. These main support tubes are connected with one another at various positions along the length thereof by a framework including tubes 6, 7 and 8, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, additional tubes 9, 10 and 11' are attached to the supporting frame, which tubes are installed in the travel direction and are incorporated into the track supporting unit as load-carrying as well as non-supporting components according to preferred embodiments of the invention.

The supporting and guiding rails l2, 13, 14 and 15 for the high-performance rapid-transit trains l6 and 17 mounted laterally at the supporting frame, namely in each case on the side at the upper tubes 4 and 5 serving as the longitudinal supports and, in FIG. 1, on both sides at the lower tube 3, and in FIG. 2 respectively, laterally at the two lower longitudinal supporting tubes 3a 3 and 3b.

On top of the supporting unit structure, further carrying and/or guiding devices for other transportation systems are additionally installed. In FIG. 1, rail elements 18, 19, 20 and 21 are illustrated for accommodating train traffic (as the forward and return tracks), of which respectively the outer rail elements 18 and 21 are attached to the tubes and 4, used as the main supports, whereas-for the respectively inner rail elements 19 and'20, separate carrying means 22 and 23 are installed on the transverse struts 8. Within these supporting or carrying means 22, 23, additional conveyor pipelines 24 and 25 are preferably arranged. Rails l821 are of conventional gage and spacing.

In FIG. 2, a road is laid on top of the supporting frame as an additional transportation line. A metal or synthetic resin panel 26 is fastened to the tubes 8, forming the upper strut framework. For reinforcing purposes, this panel is preferably provided with longitudinal ribs 27 oriented upwardly (FIG. 2) or downwardly (not illustrated). On the top of the panel 26, the road surfacing (e. g., asphalt or concrete) 28 is applied in the area between the two tubes 4 and 5. Lateral guide sheets 29 and 30, attached to the tubes 4 and 5, respectively, define the lateral edges of the roadway.

The longitudinally installed pipelines 3, 4, 5, 9, and 11 as well as 24 and (FIG. 1), and 3a, 3b, 4, 5, and 9, 10, 11 (FIG. 2) are designed as conveying lines for gases, liquids, fluidized solids, or to receive electric long-distance lines. In preferred advantageous embodiments of this invention, the pipelines 4, 5, 9, 11, 24 and 25 installed at the top in the supporting framework are employed for the transportation of gases and the pipelines 3 or 3a, 3b installed at the bottom in the supporting frame are employed for the conveyance of liquid substances, in order to thereby attain a heavier lower load on the supporting lattice-work to optomize the balancing of loads thereat. The pipeline 10 serves to receive electric long-distance lines and, for the just-mentioned reason (reduce weight at the top and increase at the bottom), is likewise mounted at the bottom within the framework.

A container track is additionally provided in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the interior of the supporting frame construction. The transporting container 31 is supported via rollers 32, 33 and 34 on carrying and guiding rails 35, 36 and 37 which are rigidly attached to the supporting framework 6-8.

While we have shown and described several embodiments in accordance with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not limited thereto but is susceptible tonumerous changes and modifications as known to those skilled in the art and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the details shown and described herein but intend to cover all such changes and modifications as are emcompassed by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Track unit apparatus for guiding and supporting overhead or suspension type train vehicles, particularly train vehicles of high performance rapid transit trains; said apparatus comprising:

train vehicle guide means extending in the travel direction of said train vehicles, said train vehicle guide means including means for supporting said train vehicles while guiding same along said travel direction,

and supporting frame means for supporting said vehicle guide means in position,

said supporting frame means including frame members connected directly to said train vehicle guide means, said frame members including three longitudinal members extending in the travel direction of said train vehicles, said longitudinal members being connected with one another by latticework extending transversely of said travel direction, said longitudinal members being positioned at respective corners of a triangle with two of said longitudinal members being located at a first level and the other of said longitudinal members being located spaced vertically from and intermediate said two longitudinal members, said train vehicle guide means including at least one vehicle guide track on each of the longitudinal members.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said three longitudinal members are hollow tubular members.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guide tracks are configured for supporting a separate train vehicle at each of the respective outer lateral sides of the triangle formed by said longitudinal members.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said guide tracks are configured for supporting a separate train vehicle at each of the respective outer lateral sides of the triangle formed by said longitudinal members.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said two of said longitudinal members at said first level are positioned above the level of said other of said longitudinal members.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said supporting frame means further includes pillar means supporting said frame members in a position spaced from adjacent fixed structure.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising additional conveying means supported directly at said supporting frame means such that said supporting frame means serves simultaneously to support said train vehicles as well as said additional conveying means.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said addi tional conveying means includes additional vehicle guide means including means for supporting and guiding additional vehicles other than said train vehicles.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said pillar means supports said frame members at a level sufficiently above local ground level so that said train and additional vehicles are supported above and spaced from said local ground level.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said longitudinal members are metal members.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said latticework extending transversely of said travel direction is a metal latticework.

12.- Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said metal latticework includes further tubular members connected directly to said longitudinal members.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least part of said longitudinal members are fashioned as conduits for the conveyance of materials.

14. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said additional vehicle guide means extend in said travel direction above said triangle.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said additional vehicle guide means include railroad tracks directly connected to said two upper longitudinal members. i i

16. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes a roadway supported above and between said two upper longitudinal members.

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes lateral guide rails connected directly to respective ones of said two upper longitudinal members for delimiting respective lateral edges of said roadway.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said roadway includes reinforced plate means extending between said two upper longitudinal members and below the upper surface of said roadway.

19. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes railroad tracks supported by longituginal supports extending in the travel direction intermediate the two upper longitudinal members, said longitudinal supports being connected directly to tubular members of said latticework.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a total of four separate railroad track rails are provided for accommodating side-by-side travel of a pair of railroad trains along the top of said triangle.

21. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes guide tracks extending in said travel direction and inside of said triangle for guiding and supporting conveying vehicles within the space surrounded by said triangle.

22. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes guide tracks extending in said travel direction and inside of said triangle for guiding and supporting conveying vehicles within the space surrounded by said triangle.

23. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes guide tracks extending in said travel direction and inside of said triangle for guiding and supporting conveying vehicles within the space surrounded by said triangle.

24. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least part of said longitudinal tubular members are fashioned as conduits for the conveyance of materials, and wherein said train vehicle guide means are connected directly to said longitudinal members.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein each of said three longitudinal members is fashioned as a conduit for the conveyance of materials.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein each of said conduits is fashioned for the conveyance of one of liquids, gases, and fluidized solids.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein means are provided for conducting gases through said two upper longitudinal members and for conducting liquids through said lower longitudinal member to thereby optimize the weight distribution and balance of the supporting frame means.

28. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein at least one tubular member attached to said supporting frame means includes means for housing electric long distance lines.

29. Apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising further pipelines attached to said supporting frame means and including means for conveying materials in said travel direction of the train vehicles.

30. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said longitudinal supports surround pipelines for conveying materials.

31. Apparatus according to claim 29, wherein at least some of said further pipelines extend inside of said trangle so as to optimize space utilization.

32. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said longitudinal tubular members are of cylindrical shape and are made of steel, and wherein said pillar means are made of concrete.

33. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes guide tracks extending in said travel direction and inside of said framework for guiding and supporting conveying vehicles within the space surrounded by said framework.

34. Track unit apparatus for guiding and supporting overhead or suspension type train vehicles, particularly train vehicles of high performance rapid transit trains; said apparatus comprising:

train vehicle guide means extending in the travel direction of said train vehicles, said train vehicle guide means including means for supporting said train vehicles while guiding same along said travel direction,

and supporting frame means for supporting said vehicle guide means in position,

said supporting frame means including frame members connected directly to said train vehicle guide means, said frame members including four longitudinal members extending in the travel direction of said train vehicles, said longitudinal members being connected with one another by latticework extending transversely of said travel direction, two of said longitudinal members being at a first level and laterally spaced from one another and the other two being at a second level immediately adjacent one another, said train vehicle guide means including vehicle guide tracks on each of the longitudinal members.

35. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein each of said four longitudinal members are hollow tubular members.

36. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said guide tracks are configured for supporting a separate train vehicle at each of the respective outer lateral sides of the framework formed by said longitudinal members.

37. Apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said guide tracks are configured for supporting a separate train vehicle at each of the respective outer lateral sides of the framework formed by said longitudinal members.

38. Apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said two of said longitudinal members at said first level are positioned above the level of said other two of said longitudinal members.

39. Apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said supporting frame means further includes pillar means supporting said frame members in a position spaced from adjacent fixed structure.

40. Apparatus according to claim 39, further comprising additional conveying means supported directly at said supporting frame means such that said supporting frame means serves simultaneously to support said train vehicles as well as said additional conveying means.

41. Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said additional conveying means includes additional vehicle guide means including means for supporting and guiding additional vehicles other than said train vehicles.

42. Apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said pillar means supports said frame members at a level sufficiently above local ground level so that said train and additional vehicles are supported above and spaced from said local ground level.

43. Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said longitudinal members are metal members.

44. Apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said latticework extending transversely of said travel direction is a metal latticework.

45. Apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said metal latticework includes further tubular members connected directly to said longitudinal members.

46. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein at least part of said longitudinal members are fashioned as conduits for the conveyance of materials.

47. Apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said additional guide means include railroad tracks directly connected to said two upper longitudinal members.

48. Apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes a roadway supported above and between said two upper longitudinal members.

49. Apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes lateral guide rails connected directly to respective ones of said two upper longitudinal members for delimiting respective lateral edges of said roadway.

50. Apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said roadway includes reinforced plate means extending between said two upper longitudinal members and below the upper surface of said roadway.

51. Apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes railroad tracks supported by longitudinal supports extending in the travel direction intermediate the two upper longitudinal members, said longitudinal supports being connected directly to tubular members of said latticework.

52. Apparatus according to claim 41, wherein at least part of said longitudinal tubular members are fashioned as conduits for. the conveyance of materials, and wherein said train vehicle guide means are connected directly to said longitudinal members.

53. Apparatus according to claim 41, wherein means are provided for conducting gases through said two upper longitudinal members and for conducting liquids through said lower longitudinal members to thereby optimize the weight distribution and balance of the sup- 

1. Track unit apparatus for guiding and supporting overhead or suspension type train vehicles, particularly train vehicles of high performance rapid transit trains; said apparatus comprising: train vehicle guide means extending in the travel direction of said train vehicles, said train vehicle guide means including means for supporting said train vehicles while guiding same along said travel direction, and supporting frame means for supporting said vehicle guide means in position, said supporting frame means including frame members connected directly to said train vehicle guide means, said frame members including three longitudinal members extending in the travel direction of said train vehicles, said longitudinal members being connected with one another by latticework extending transversely of said travel direction, said longitudinal members being positioned at respective corners of a triangle with two of said longitudinal members being located at a first level and the other of said longitudinal members being located spaced vertically from and intermediate said two longitudinal members, said train vehicle guide means including at least one vehicle guide track on each of the longitudinal members.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of said three longitudinal members are hollow tubular members.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guide tracks are configured for supporting a separate train vehicle at each of the respective outer lateral sides of the triangle formed by said longitudinal members.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said guide tracks are configured for supporting a separate train vehicle at each of the respective outer lateral sides of the triangle formed by said longitudinal members.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said two of said longitudinal members at said first level are positioned above the level of said other of said longitudinal members.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said supporting frame means further includes pillar means supporting said frame members in a position spaced from adjacent fixed structure.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising additional conveying means supported directly at said supporting frame means such that said supporting frame means serves simultaneously to support said train vehicles as well as said additional conveying means.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said additional conveying means includes additional vehicle guide means including means for supporting and guiding additional vehicles other than said train vehicles.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said pillar means supports said frame members at a level sufficiently above local ground level so that said train and additional vehicles are supported above and spaced from said local ground level.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said longitudinal members are metal members.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said latticework extending transversely of said travel direction is a metal latticework.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said metal latticework includes further tubular members connected directly to said longitudinal members.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein at least part of said longitudinal members are fashioned as conduits for the conveyance of materials.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said additional vehicle guide means extend in said travel direction above said triangle.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said additional vehicle guide means include railroad tracks directly connected to said two upper longitudinal members.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes a roadway supported Above and between said two upper longitudinal members.
 17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes lateral guide rails connected directly to respective ones of said two upper longitudinal members for delimiting respective lateral edges of said roadway.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said roadway includes reinforced plate means extending between said two upper longitudinal members and below the upper surface of said roadway.
 19. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes railroad tracks supported by longituginal supports extending in the travel direction intermediate the two upper longitudinal members, said longitudinal supports being connected directly to tubular members of said latticework.
 20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a total of four separate railroad track rails are provided for accommodating side-by-side travel of a pair of railroad trains along the top of said triangle.
 21. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes guide tracks extending in said travel direction and inside of said triangle for guiding and supporting conveying vehicles within the space surrounded by said triangle.
 22. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes guide tracks extending in said travel direction and inside of said triangle for guiding and supporting conveying vehicles within the space surrounded by said triangle.
 23. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes guide tracks extending in said travel direction and inside of said triangle for guiding and supporting conveying vehicles within the space surrounded by said triangle.
 24. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein at least part of said longitudinal tubular members are fashioned as conduits for the conveyance of materials, and wherein said train vehicle guide means are connected directly to said longitudinal members.
 25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein each of said three longitudinal members is fashioned as a conduit for the conveyance of materials.
 26. Apparatus according to claim 25, wherein each of said conduits is fashioned for the conveyance of one of liquids, gases, and fluidized solids.
 27. Apparatus according to claim 26, wherein means are provided for conducting gases through said two upper longitudinal members and for conducting liquids through said lower longitudinal member to thereby optimize the weight distribution and balance of the supporting frame means.
 28. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein at least one tubular member attached to said supporting frame means includes means for housing electric long distance lines.
 29. Apparatus according to claim 26, further comprising further pipelines attached to said supporting frame means and including means for conveying materials in said travel direction of the train vehicles.
 30. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said longitudinal supports surround pipelines for conveying materials.
 31. Apparatus according to claim 29, wherein at least some of said further pipelines extend inside of said trangle so as to optimize space utilization.
 32. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said longitudinal tubular members are of cylindrical shape and are made of steel, and wherein said pillar means are made of concrete.
 33. Apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes guide tracks extending in said travel direction and inside of said framework for guiding and supporting conveying vehicles within the space surrounded by said framework.
 34. Track unit apparatus for guiding and supporting overhead or suspension type train vehicles, particularly train vehicles of high performance rapid transit trains; said apparatus comprising: train vehicle guide means extending in the travel direction of said train vehicles, said train vehicle gUide means including means for supporting said train vehicles while guiding same along said travel direction, and supporting frame means for supporting said vehicle guide means in position, said supporting frame means including frame members connected directly to said train vehicle guide means, said frame members including four longitudinal members extending in the travel direction of said train vehicles, said longitudinal members being connected with one another by latticework extending transversely of said travel direction, two of said longitudinal members being at a first level and laterally spaced from one another and the other two being at a second level immediately adjacent one another, said train vehicle guide means including vehicle guide tracks on each of the longitudinal members.
 35. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein each of said four longitudinal members are hollow tubular members.
 36. Apparatus according to claim 34, wherein said guide tracks are configured for supporting a separate train vehicle at each of the respective outer lateral sides of the framework formed by said longitudinal members.
 37. Apparatus according to claim 35, wherein said guide tracks are configured for supporting a separate train vehicle at each of the respective outer lateral sides of the framework formed by said longitudinal members.
 38. Apparatus according to claim 37, wherein said two of said longitudinal members at said first level are positioned above the level of said other two of said longitudinal members.
 39. Apparatus according to claim 38, wherein said supporting frame means further includes pillar means supporting said frame members in a position spaced from adjacent fixed structure.
 40. Apparatus according to claim 39, further comprising additional conveying means supported directly at said supporting frame means such that said supporting frame means serves simultaneously to support said train vehicles as well as said additional conveying means.
 41. Apparatus according to claim 40, wherein said additional conveying means includes additional vehicle guide means including means for supporting and guiding additional vehicles other than said train vehicles.
 42. Apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said pillar means supports said frame members at a level sufficiently above local ground level so that said train and additional vehicles are supported above and spaced from said local ground level.
 43. Apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said longitudinal members are metal members.
 44. Apparatus according to claim 43, wherein said latticework extending transversely of said travel direction is a metal latticework.
 45. Apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said metal latticework includes further tubular members connected directly to said longitudinal members.
 46. Apparatus according to claim 45, wherein at least part of said longitudinal members are fashioned as conduits for the conveyance of materials.
 47. Apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said additional guide means include railroad tracks directly connected to said two upper longitudinal members.
 48. Apparatus according to claim 41, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes a roadway supported above and between said two upper longitudinal members.
 49. Apparatus according to claim 48, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes lateral guide rails connected directly to respective ones of said two upper longitudinal members for delimiting respective lateral edges of said roadway.
 50. Apparatus according to claim 49, wherein said roadway includes reinforced plate means extending between said two upper longitudinal members and below the upper surface of said roadway.
 51. Apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said additional vehicle guide means includes railroad tracks supported by longitudinal supports extending in the travel direction intermediate the two upper longitudinal members, said longitudinal supports being connected directly to tUbular members of said latticework.
 52. Apparatus according to claim 41, wherein at least part of said longitudinal tubular members are fashioned as conduits for the conveyance of materials, and wherein said train vehicle guide means are connected directly to said longitudinal members.
 53. Apparatus according to claim 41, wherein means are provided for conducting gases through said two upper longitudinal members and for conducting liquids through said lower longitudinal members to thereby optimize the weight distribution and balance of the supporting frame means. 